OpenAI has a new program to help SMEs get the most out of AI (www.techradar.com)

OpenAI has partnered with Booking.com to launch the 'SME AI Accelerator' program, aimed at helping 20,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across six European countries—France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Ireland, and the UK—adopt AI technologies. The initiative will offer free in-person workshops, virtual sessions, and access to the OpenAI Academy, focusing on enhancing productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness through AI. This response comes in light of the low AI adoption rates among SMEs, with only 17% currently utilizing AI tools compared to 55% of larger enterprises, despite SMEs constituting 99% of Europe’s businesses. The significance of this program lies in its potential to transform the European business landscape by democratizing access to AI knowledge and skills, thereby fostering innovation across various sectors. It is part of a broader EU Economic Blueprint 2.0 that includes research initiatives aimed at youth safety and wellbeing. By bolstering AI adoption among SMEs, the program not only enhances individual business capabilities but also seeks to strengthen the overall AI ecosystem in Europe, ultimately unlocking new opportunities for growth and innovation in the region.